CLOSE
Port Times Record

by -
0 1328
1 of 2
From left to right: Tatiana Garrison, Elizabeth Smith, Delilah Rosenthal-Vincenti, Isabella Bustamante and Mia Judex. Photo courtesy Angeline Judex
WhatsApp Image 2025

By Sabrina Artusa 

In Sarasota, Florida on June 14, the Friends of the Port Jefferson Rowing Club’s skulls skated over the water, surpassing rowers from across the nation to secure a spot among the country’s best. 

The U16 Women’s Coxed Quadruple Skulls team took home first in the B finals, making them ninth nationwide, while the U17 Boys Doubles won first in the D finals. 

For the quad, the 2,000-meter race was a steady battle, steeped in strategy. Tatiana Garrison (15), Elizabeth Smith (13), Delilah Rosenthal-Vincenti (14), Mia Judex (12) and coxswain Isabella Bustamante (14) practiced twice a day in the weeks between winning the New York State Scholastic Rowing Championships in Saratoga Springs on May 14 and the US Rowing Youth National Championships a month later. Watching their steady progress in the race and their final sprint that took them over the finish line almost six seconds before the Maritime Rowing Club, Assistant Coach Hannah Smith could not contain her pride.  

Smith knew the athletes overcame many challenges to get to Nationals, including Elizabeth Smith’s bout with the flu, windy conditions and a faulty boat rack that caused damage to the boats only weeks before Nationals. “When I saw them going to the finish line way ahead it brought me to tears because it was so exciting to watch,” she said. “I am not a crier.”

Despite it all, the athletes got up before school for their 5 a.m. practices and showed up at the water after school to practice once more, pushing their muscles – and grip strength – to the maximum. 

Once they arrived at Nationals, they knew they belonged there. Tough interval sessions of 90 seconds at race pace, 10 seconds of rest or five minutes at race pace, repeated, set the team up for success. Smith helped the girls practice “a lot of fast, technical” rowing the month before leaving for Florida.

Judex, Rosenthal-Vincenti and Bustamante are novices – new within the year – but took to the oars well. The assistant coach said the team’s “strength is really in their bond together” and sets them apart from the competition. “They are all really good friends, they support each other and they push each other too.” 

 “We were all excited and nervous at the same time while training on Long Island,” Judex said. “But, when we got there, we felt honored to be competing among the best in the country.” 

“I felt prepared,” Elizabeth Smith said. “I knew we had practiced a lot after we qualified at States and I knew our boat had improved.” 

The team started slower, preparing for the progressive performance they had planned. “We continued to get faster throughout the race while the other boats got slower,” Elizabeth Smith said.

They continued getting faster, ensuring that any challengers, including Pittsford Crew, the team’s rival in the state championship, didn’t get the chance to pass. With 1,000 meters to go, the team was ahead, but mostly even with the Maritime Rowing Club. Then, they entered the sprint. 

In the last two minutes, the Port Jefferson Rowing Club made “a statement,” as the announcer said, as their boat pierced through the water, each stroke expanding the distance between them and Maritime Rowing Club. 

“We knew that so much was at stake to place in the top 10 in the USA,” Judex said. “A combination of adrenaline and sheer determination and desire for that ninth place pushed us over the finish line.” 

The U17 Doubles, manned by Antonio Bustamante (15) and Tommy Hyams (15) secured 25th in the nation. 

“Tommy and I were intense with our prep and showed our hearts and progress in this race,” Bustamante said. “We came from behind to take a massive lead and then dug deep to sprint across the finish line. We finished strong and this shows just how much we’ve grown this season.” 

“They ended with a huge lead,” Smith said. Indeed, the pair came out around 35 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. 

The Friends of Port Jefferson Rowing Club is a nonprofit organization for athletes of nearly all ages. 

by -
0 838
Sisters Nora, left, and Caroline, right, recently visited Legislator Steven Englebright to share some bicycle safety tips. Photo from Legislator Englebright’s office
The warmer weather means more children will be outside riding their bikes. Port Jefferson residents Nora and Caroline Boecherer, 8 and 5, respectively, have proven they are well-versed in bicycle safety.
Photo: Sisters Nora, left, and Caroline, right, recently visited Legislator Steven Englebright to share some bicycle safety tips. Photo from Legislator Englebright’s office

The sisters tied for first place as Legislative District 5’s Bicycle Safety Poster winners and recently stopped by Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright’s (D-Setauket) office. This is the second year in a row that Nora won in the district. In 2024, she was named Suffolk County Legislature’s overall winner.

Earlier this year, all 18 legislators invited students from local schools to participate in the annual Bicycle Safety contest. Elementary students are asked to send in a poster, while intermediate and high school students are eligible for a video contest. Each legislator picks one poster and one video from entries submitted to their districts to be considered as the overall Legislature winners.
During their recent visit to Englebright’s office, Nora and Caroline, Edna Louise Spear Elementary School students, rode their bicycles in the office building’s parking lot. They also discussed their posters and bicycle safety with Legislator Englebright, who presented the sisters with certificates to acknowledge placing first in the district.
“Nora and Caroline Boecherer are two bright young constituents who are doing their part to help educate others about safe cycling habits, so everyone of all ages can enjoy the roads together,” Englebright said. “It was a pleasure to name them both as District 5’s winners for the Suffolk County Legislature’s annual Bicycle Safety Contest.”

by -
0 1581
Port Jefferson Village Hall. Photo by Heidi Sutton 2023

By Lynn Hallarman

The Village of Port Jefferson board of trustees held its June work session addressing several key topics, including recommendations by the Citizens Committee on Erosion regarding Phase 2 of the East Beach Bluff Stabilization Project. Trustee Stan Loucks was not present.

Infrastructure projects

The board reviewed major infrastructure investments funded in part by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other grants. Trustees allocated $85,798 for storm drain cleaning, with 35 problematic drains identified so far and $322,000 for Sand Lane culvert repairs following damage sustained during the August 2023 storm.  

“I’m so excited about this,” said Trustee Kyle Hill. 

L.K. McLean Associates, a Brookhaven-based engineering firm, is assisting the village in flood prevention efforts. Work is underway, including drone-based topographical mapping and meetings with local stakeholders, such as the Port Jefferson School District and fire commissioners. 

“They’ve hit the ground running,” said Mayor Lauren Sheprow. “There’s real potential for design solutions that make a difference.”

Public safety 

Hill updated the board on enforcement activities and public safety. He proposed extending noise ordinance protections to include federal holidays and suggested relocating a speed reader to East Main Street to address speeding complaints. 

Financial oversight  & technology

Treasurer Stephen Gaffga reported $1.9 million in golf club membership revenue and discussed preparations for the fiscal year 2025 audit. A finalized capital asset valuation report has resolved a decades-long material weakness flagged by auditors.  

The village is also implementing new software to enhance cybersecurity as it prepares to transition to a .gov domain. 

Single-use plastics

Trustees Bob Juliano and Hill reviewed a draft proposal to ban single-use plastics for renters at the Village Center.  The proposal emphasizes known environmental hazards linked to fossil-fuel-derived single-use plastics. Once discarded, these plastics are often incinerated at high temperatures, a process that requires hundreds of millions of gallons of water from Long Island’s aquifers, according to local experts cited in the proposal. 

The Port Jefferson=based Eco-League has offered to create an appendix listing sources for compliant cutlery and cups. The Main Street business, Simple Good, has volunteered to act as a local preferred vendor for eco-friendly alternatives, according to Hill.

Village residents Myrna Gordon and Holly Fils-Aime championed the initiative. Gordon rushed to Village Hall during the work group session to personally thank the board for moving forward with the initiative. The board will take a final vote at the next trustees public meeting. 

Bluff report

Residents Flemming Videbaek and Bob Laravie of the Citizens Commission on Erosion delivered a presentation on the East Beach Bluff Stabilization Project.  Chair David Knauf was unable to attend. Videbaek provided an overview of the commission’s interim report on Phase 2.

Sheprow formed the volunteer commission in the fall of 2024 after residents raised concerns that the multi-million-dollar, multiphase stabilization project lacked sufficient community input. 

The commission’s report evaluates plans for Phase 2, which includes installing a 545-foot-long, 47-foot-deep steel barrier along the bluff’s crest, just seaward of the Port Jefferson Country Club. The wall is intended to stabilize the club building and prevent it from collapsing onto the shoreline. 

“The main focus of the report is to analyze Phase 2, look at alternatives, assess the pros and cons of each option and conduct a risk analysis,” Videbaek said.

He stressed the importance of conducting a full cost-benefit analysis, including consideration of rebuilding the clubhouse to a less vulnerable inland site before moving forward with the Phase 2 wall build. 

“A detailed fiscal analysis of the total project cost and options should be presented to the taxpayers before construction begins,” he said.  “It must be emphasized that at some point the relocation of the building will be necessary.”

Laravie focused his comments on drainage issues at the bluff’s crest and the importance of coordinating plans with Lessing’s Hospitality Group, the newly contracted catering company for the country club, which is planning a “plantings beautification project” in the area affected by drainage problems. 

Hill commented on the importance of smart landscaping in this area, suggesting the use of native plants instead of nonnative ornamentals. 

“Native plants need to be watered less— I’m imagining we would not want to be running sprinklers right there every day” Hill said. 

The mayor did not comment on the commission’s request for comprehensive cost analysis including a possible retreat plan, but reiterated her goal is to develop a master plan for the country club that includes the future of the club building. 

“We need a master plan,” Trustee Xena Urgrinsky said. “I would love to see more reasons for nongolfers to visit. I’d also like to see a design for the green spaces.” 

To view the full report, visit the village website and search for “Citizens Commission on Erosion.” 

The next public meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for June 25 at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.

by -
0 1259
From left, Billy Baker, Elizabeth Reuter, David Gianopoulos, and Logan Canonico outside the Port Jefferson Cinemas after the screening. Photo by Christine Hanson

By Heidi Sutton

A private premiere screening of the short film I Often Dream of Trains was held at the Port Jefferson Cinemas on June 15. The screening was attended by the actors, film crew and friends. 

Written by Tony Dimurro and directed and produced by Billy Baker and Stony Brook native David Gianopoulos, the film is about two men on a train (Gianopoulos and Michael Dempsey) who cross paths as one is trying to find his way home. 

A seasoned actor on film, television and stage, Gianopoulos has appeared in over 50 television shows including 24, ER, CSI, Sisters, and The Rookie; in feature films Air Force One, Under Siege 2, and Candyman 2; and played General George Washington in TBR News Media’s feature-length film One Life To Give.

Michael Dempsey was recently seen in Barry, YOU, and the show Mayans.

The opening and closing of the film were filmed in the Three village area.

Gianopoulos and Baker were able to use local talent, Elizabeth Reuter and Logan Canonico, to play his wife and son.

“We are so proud and happy to be showing this film for the first time to the people from the Three Village area. From here we’ll go on to film festivals and hopefully present the film sometime next year on a streaming service,” said Gianopoulos.

by -
0 3733
1 of 14
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A scene from the No Kings rally in Port Jefferson Station on June 14. Photo by Steven Zaitz
A vehicle with writing expressing support for the current administration drives past residents protesting Trump’s policies. Photo by Steven Zaitz

By Steven Zaitz

Port Jefferson Station was one of seven sites in Suffolk County where the people came to say that America doesn’t do kings. 

Across the country, June 14 wasn’t just another lazy Saturday to do yardwork or go to the mall. It was a day percolating with political events and rising tensions, as millions of protesters gathered in towns and cities from the eastern tip of Long Island’s North Fork to Los Angeles and 2,000 points in between. 

Estimates indicate that between four and six million people participated in the mostly  concurrent No Kings rallies, held to protest President Donald Trump’s (R) policies and actions in his first five months in office and the military parade organized by his administration to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. It also coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday. 

The rallies were organized by the 50501 Movement, a national movement advocating for democracy, and its affiliates, including Indivisible and the ACLU, that view Trump’s actions and policies as authoritarian and monarchical. Christina Henderson was the organizer of the Port Jeff No Kings rally.

“We don’t do kings in the United States, we don’t do dictators, we don’t do dictator parades, and we don’t do authoritarianism,” Henderson said. “We were founded on a system of checks and balances and we don’t do kings.”

Local rally-goers, many wearing plastic rain ponchos, were out to send the message to Trump that his policies, specifically his use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, are not only intolerable, but unlawful. 

Nancy Goroff, a Stony Brook University chemistry professor who ran for Congress in New York’s first district in 2024, was at the march in a cold and damp Port Jefferson.

“We have to fight to make sure we have fair elections in 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028,” said Goroff. “We are going to keep protesting, we are going to keep rallying, we are going to keep coming together in community to bring new people into this [movement] to protect our democracy and keep us from sliding into autocracy.” 

The nationwide movement occurred on the same day as Trump’s Washington parade. It was set against the multilayered backdrop of U.S. Marines and National Guard recently clashing with protesters, many of whom are U.S. citizens, in Los Angeles. There were no altercations with police at the Port Jeff protest.

In recent weeks, ICE agents have clashed with civilians in both Nassau and Suffolk counties as well as in cities across the country. Though June 14 was Flag Day — and unseasonably cool in many parts of the country — the political climate was at a boiling point. 

On Long Island, 12 No Kings events drew an estimated 35,000 people in total, including roughly 3,000 in Port Jeff Station. 

This was the second such rally in just two months at the corner of Routes 112 and 347. On April 5th, protesters gathered on this stretch of sidewalk adjacent to the Station Plaza shopping mall. However this time,there were considerably more people in attendance despite the inclement weather. 

Protesters curled south around the block on Patchogue Avenue all the way to Rose Avenue and on the opposite side of Train Car Park, along Canal Road. Others spilled into the park to listen to speakers such as Goroff, activists Skyler Johnson and Shoshana Hershkowitz and Henderson. 

Soaked from the intensifying rain and shouting the time-honored chant “This is what democracy looks like,” protesters used both hands to hold colorful pride and American flags, umbrellas and cardboard placards. Some of the signs simply read No Kings with a red line through a crown and others were more elaborate, depicting caricatures of Trump as a taco, a clown or a baby in diapers.

Last month, Trump earned the nickname of Taco — an acronym for Trump always chickens out, which refers to his frequently changing decrees on international tariffs. The name has spread in left-leaning social media circles and memes. 

In keeping with food metaphors, multiple signs depicted the president of the United States in some form of fast-food restaurant Burger King regalia.

As the occasional vehicle slowed near the rally to express opposite views of the marchers, tensions rose. One such vehicle had an array of hand-painted messages supporting the president. An array of oversized Trump flags flapped from its roof and rear. 

After passing through the intersection, the car lingered briefly on Route 347 and the occupants began arguing with a group of protesters. After about a minute, the vehicle left without further incident. There was a police presence of three or four cars throughout the course of the event.

The gathering in Port Jeff consisted mainly of people that could have been protesting in the Vietnam era, but mixed in were young parents with school-aged children as well as a segment of young adults determined to sustain the No Kings movement for future generations.

Noelle Kozofsky, 20 years old of Hampton Bays, was one such participant.

“At some point, the world is going to be in the hands of my generation,” said Kozofsky, who is working as a dog sitter for the summer. “We need to learn that this is going to affect our future and affect our lives. Our country and our economy are becoming a disaster if young people like me aren’t willing to attend events like this and figure out a way to help our community. It’s so important to have empathy for other people and I feel like that is getting lost with the way things are. Trump tries to tear us all apart to have all the power for himself, and the only way to stop him is if we work together.”

But critics of the No Kings movement argue that events like the Army anniversary parade in Washington are unifying, and it is the protests that disrupt order and undermine democracy.

In a statement, David Laska, communications director for the New York Republican State Committee, said, “The American people choose our leaders at the ballot box — not in the streets with juvenile chants and temper tantrums. The slogan of this performative outrage might be “no kings,” but Americans know that what Democrats really want is the rule of the mob. While they’re out blocking traffic, the rest of us will be celebrating America and honoring our military.”

Other No Kings protest marches in Suffolk County included Sag Harbor, Riverhead, Huntington, Hampton Bays, Amityville and Patchogue, which took place in front of Representative Andrew Garbarino’s (R, NY2) headquarters. On Long Island, there were no arrests reported.

“When we are unified and we come together, we get positivity and energy and smart people who are going to change the world,” Henderson told the cheering crowd. “It starts with people waking up and saying that they have had enough. This is what being here is all about.”

by -
0 688
METRO photo

By Luciana Hayes

This Father’s Day locals reflect on the special moments they shared with their fathers throughout their lives. 

TBR News Media asked community members, “What is your favorite memory with your father?”

Andrew Handel

Andrew recalls one on one breakfast with his dad before school. He referred to it as a “kind of special treat” that he cherishes to this day.

Katie Heuzey, Huntington

Katie’s favorite memory with her father was going out to her favorite restaurant, Pancho Villas in Huntington. She remembers her usual order, a burrito with melted cheese, like it was yesterday.

Jeremy Flint, East Setauket

Jeremy shares that his best memory with his father was when he and his brother helped their dad build a shed and clubhouse in their backyard. But the best part was when they got to sign their names next to their hand prints in the cement. Jeremy reflects by saying, “It stuck with me from the time I was a little kid.”

Mary Mantia, Holbrook

Mary remembers the hugs she shared with her father more than anything else. She describes the memories by noting, “He wasn’t a lovable man, but every once in a while we would listen to some music and he would give me a hug and it was just really nice.”

Josette Bianchi, East Setauket

Josette’s fondest memories with her father were Saturday morning hikes at Webster Park in Webster, New York. She recalls there being a tree that fell across a creek and she would treat the tree like a balance beam as she embraced her inner gymnast. She later mentioned, “My dad always encouraged me to try new things and to take chances and not just with that, but in life in general.”

Sevilla Lebowitz, East Setauket

Sevilla’s favorite memories with her father are the weekend beach trips. She recalls learning to fish, swimming, and a lot of unforgettable memories in the sand.

by -
0 1059
1 of 7
Kindergartner Athena Corso. Photo by Kevin Coughlin/BNL
First grader John Jantzen. Photo by Kevin Coughlin/BNL
Second grader Christopher Calvanese. Photo by Kevin Coughlin/BNL
Third grader Erios Pikramenos. Photo by Kevin Coughlin/BNL
Fourth grader Lyla Drucker. Photo by Kevin Coughlin/BNL
Fifth grader Taran Sathish Kumar
Sixth grader Luke Dinsman. Photo by Kevin Coughlin/BNL

The annual Elementary Science Fair Competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory on June 7 showcased a range of hypotheses students set out to test by following the scientific method.

Students presented questions inspired by their everyday lives, their interests, and timely topics in science. This year’s project titles included, “Alexa, Do my Homework!” “Does Taylor Swift Help Make my Dog Less Anxious?” “How Does the Air Pressure of a Soccer Ball Affect how far it Travels When Kicked?” and “Words Matter: How Encouragement Affects Performance.”

Brookhaven Lab scientists and local teachers volunteered to judge 258 projects and award the top spots and honorable mentions for each grade level, from kindergarten to sixth grade. The competition also included a Judges’ Choice award for creative questions.

“Our Elementary Science Fair is all about celebrating students’ first steps in STEM and providing positive memories that will inspire them as they consider future career paths,” said Daniel Trieu, competition co-coordinator and educational programs representative with Brookhaven Lab’s Office of Workforce Development and Science Education (WDSE). WDSE provides educational opportunities that highlight the Lab’s research initiatives, preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers.

A number of projects pulled in family and friends, including four-legged ones. Kindergarten student Savanna Stidd of Riley Avenue Elementary School wondered, “Am I really my dog’s best friend?” and found that her pup named Penny ran to her the fastest when called over. Her favorite part of the process? “I got to play with my dog,” she said.

Some students combined science and art, exploring how different types of music play into plant growth, whether music affects the way we draw, and which conditions contribute to the perfect place to hang their paintings. Others asked questions about food, including a project that tested which substance best mummified apples — complete with a life-size display prop mummy — and another that investigated why a student’s favorite ice cream flavor, chocolate, melts quickly in the summer.

Overall, the Science Fair is a chance to highlight students’ curiosity about the scientific process.

“My favorite part about being at the Science Fair is looking at my Science Fair project and seeing how hard I worked for it,” said Elijah David, a third grader from Coram Elementary School who conducted an experiment to see which liquids dissolved different types of candy the fastest. 

Students who earned first place in their grade level received medals and ribbons, along with banners to hang at their school to recognize the achievement. All participants received a ribbon in recognition of having won their grade-level competition at their school. Brookhaven Lab and Teachers Federal Credit Union sponsored the competition.

Science Fair awards

The following students earned first place in their grade level: 

◆ Kindergartner Athena Corso, Lincoln  Avenue Elementary School in Sayville for  “Don’t Wake a Sleeping Baby.”

◆ First grader John Jantzen, Sunrise Drive Elementary School in Sayville for “Electromagnet Avenue.”

◆ Second grader Christopher Calvanese, Pines Elementary School in Smithtown for “Monkey Bars or Ouchy Scars: Which playground surface absorbs the most impact?” 

◆ Third grader Erios Pikramenos, Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School in Rocky Point for “Lami vs. Eddy.”

◆ Fourth grader Lyla Drucker, Tamarac Elementary in Holtsville for “Upcycled Seed Paper.” 

◆ Fifth grader Taran Sathish Kumar, Pines Elementary School in Smithtown for “Waste to Blaze: Which Eco-Briquette Burns the Best.” 

◆ Sixth grader Luke Dinsman, Northport Middle School in Northport for “Defeating Drought: Can Hydrogels Help?” 

Judges’ choice

Kindergarten: Nate Doherty, Miller Avenue School in Shoreham

First Grade: Jack Gottesman, Tamarac Elementary School in Holtsville

Second Grade: Indie Crooke, Hampton Bays Elementary School in Hampton Bays

Third Grade: Colton Christian, Dayton Avenue School in Manorville

Fourth Grade: Mabel Gross, Dayton Avenue School in Manorville

Fifth Grade: Morgan Proscia, Sunrise Drive Elementary School in Sayville

Honorable mentions

Kindergarten: Arjun Yelika, Laurel Hill School in East Setauket; Savanna Stidd, Riley Avenue Elementary School in Calverton; and Peyton Lauten, Frank J. Carasiti Elementary in Rocky Point

First Grade: Grady McHugh, Pines Elementary School in Smithtown; and Cecilia Singh, Edna Louise Spear Elementary in Port Jefferson

Second Grade: Maggie Ruddick, Ridge Elementary School in Ridge; Rudhvin Maheshkumar, Bretton Woods Elementary School in Hauppauge; and Nathan Kenny, Hiawatha Elementary in Lake Ronkonkoma

Third Grade: Emilia Rutigliano, Tamarac Elementary in Holtsville; Adalynn Bishop, Raynor Country Day School in Speonk; George Miyagishi, Park View Elementary School in Kings Park; Christopher Powell, Fifth Avenue School in East Northport; and Siena Roseto, Cutchogue East Elementary School in Cutchogue.

Fourth Grade: Kate Unterstein, Cutchogue East Elementary School in Cutchogue; Myles Savage, RCK Elementary School in Islip Terrace; Lily Argyros, Bretton Woods Elementary School in Hauppauge; Vincent Calvanese, Pines Elementary School in Smithtown; and Ruby Tafflock, Ocean Avenue School in Northport. 

Fifth Grade: Sofia Balcells, Raynor Country Day School in Speonk; and Ashleigh Bruno, Northport Middle School in Northport.

Sixth Grade: William Zeiger, Peconic Community School in Cutchogue; and Colette Breig, William T. Rogers Middle School in Kings Park.

Science Fair Expo

While the project showcase was underway, science fair participants and their families also visited the Science Fair Expo, which featured information about Brookhaven Lab, science demonstrations, and hands-on activities related to physics, nanoscale science, and more.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. For more info, visit science.energy.gov.

by -
0 1767
Photo from Lauren Sheprow

By Sabrina Artusa

In the Village of Port Jefferson, Mayor Lauren Sheprow retains her seat for a second term, defeating challenger Kathianne Snaden by 82 votes. Sheprow had 903 votes while Snaden had 821. 

Trustee Robert Juliano was also reelected for a second term with 1196 votes while newcomer Mathew Franco took the seat of Stan Louks with 911 votes. Julie Vitrano had 624 votes. 

John F. Reilly will serve as Village Justice. Unlike the mayors and trustees, the Justice has a term of four years. 

Sheprow wrote in a Facebook post from her campaigning account, “There is so much more work to be done, and I am ready to stay the course.” 

Addressing Snaden, she wrote, “Thank you for your continued enthusiasm in this Village and for your support of the school district.”

For the past two years, the Village Board of Trustees have been confronted with issues pertaining to the Port Jefferson Country Club, the persistent erosion of East Meadow Beach Bluff, parking, and flooding. Further, the decreasing revenue from LIPA continues to diminish the tax base of both the village and school district, which has experienced decreased enrollment over the past decade. Franco will now join the board in tackling these issues for the village.

Franco, the freshman candidate, said, “I congratulate Mayor Sheprow for winning reelection. Now we have to get to work for the people of Port Jefferson.” 

Running a grassroots, “policy-based” campaign, Franco said walking door-to-to–door was a “fun, amazing experience to reengage the community”, though he criticized the “acrimony” of the race. Among his chief concerns as trustee is the East Meadow Beach bluff and quality of life issues like noise pollution. 

Coming off of the intense months leading up to the election, Juliano is excited to continue as trustee, particularly in working to revitalize uptown and addressing bluff erosion and flooding.  

“It was a long haul,” he said, “but I feel truly honored and humbled to be reelected. There are still things that need to be done.” 

He added that although campaigning “got a little heated”, he knows the board will work collaboratively towards their common goal of improving the village. “That is why everyone does this,” he said. “To make Port Jefferson better.” 

In 2023, Sheprow won as a write-in candidate. This year, she had a spot on the ticket and won by 7% of votes. In 2023, she won by 9%. 

For the trustee race, there were 767 undervotes, meaning voters did not vote for two candidates, but either one or zero. There were 25 undervotes for the mayoral race. There were 73 absentee votes and one early voter submission.

by -
0 623

In observance of Juneteenth,  the United States Postal Service will not be operating and the delivery of our newspapers will be delayed by one day.  We appreciate your understanding as we honor this federal holiday, and regular delivery service will resume the following day.

by -
0 635
File photo by Raymond Janis

Participate in the upcoming Bond Referendum Vote

As the elected board of trustees of the Smithtown Special Library District, we are writing to urge all district residents to participate in the upcoming bond referendum vote on Tuesday, July 1. As our community is aware, the storm last August devastated the lower level of our Smithtown Building, located at One North Country Road.  

Like many patrons, we ourselves were heartbroken by the damage that occurred. The lower level was so much more than just a place to store library materials. It represented the space to gather and connect with one another in our Community Rooms, a place for our patrons to explore their creativity and imagination in the Learn Lab – and, of course, a place to research and honor our region’s rich history in The Richard H. Handley Collection of Long Island Americana, otherwise known as the Long Island Room. 

While we are grateful to have reopened the first level of the Smithtown Building last month, there is more work to be done. Through the bond referendum proposal, we look forward to not only restoring what was lost in the storm – but reimagining the space and the services we offer to best meet the needs of our community.  

Through our “reimagining,” we look forward to introducing a podcast studio and the Federal Depository Library Program – both initiatives that were planned prior to the storm but were paused due to the building’s closure. In addition to housing the Federal Depository Library Program, our expanded Government Services Department will house the Patent and Trademark Resource Center and Passport Acceptance Facility.  

As trustees, we have heard the voices of our neighbors who miss the programs and spaces that brought us together. We see this as an opportunity to honor the library’s legacy while positioning it for the future for all residents in our community – from infants to seniors.  

We invite all community members to learn more about the proposal by visiting the library’s website at www.smithlib.org. Please also join us for a Community Open House at our Smithtown Building, located at One North County Road, Smithtown, on Tuesday, June 24, from 7:00 to -9:00 p.m. 

Thank you in advance for your participation on July 1. As a reminder, polls will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at all four library buildings. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Sincerely, 

The Smithtown Library Board of Trustees  

Research takes time, commitment & patience

When people think of science, they often picture breakthroughs: a new drug, a prosthetic device, an app for mental health. But science also begins with quieter questions.

I study maternal behavior in mice at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. I watch as a mother retrieves her scattered pups and brings them back to the nest. It is a simple act, but it reveals something powerful: the brain has circuitry for care.

In the Shea Lab, I ask what allows that care to happen. Which neurons fire when a mother searches for her pup? How do cues like sound or smell spark motivation? These are basic questions with no immediate product. But they form the foundation for understanding caregiving across species.

Some caregivers, in any species, do not respond in expected ways. In humans, postpartum depression, trauma or stress can alter parenting. To understand those disruptions, we must first understand how care functions when things go right. That begins in the brain. That kind of understanding depends on model systems we can study closely, like mice.

This work is often hard to fund. It is not linked to a clinical trial or a startup. It does not come with urgency built in. Yet without it, we would not know where to begin. Foundational studies in rodents showed how hormones like corticotropin-releasing hormone can disrupt maternal care. That early research helped uncover how stress alters brain circuits tied to bonding and motivation. These insights now shape how we approach mood disorders like postpartum depression.

Basic research like this is increasingly under threat. Studies that include terms like maternal or reproductive are sometimes stalled or rejected for political reasons rather than scientific ones. The result is a narrowing of what gets supported.

If we fund only projects with immediate payoff, we lose the slow, essential work that makes future breakthroughs possible. Basic science is not a detour. It is the path.

Model organisms are not a limitation. They are a strength. They allow us to ask precise, causal questions we cannot ask in humans. That is how we build maps of brain function and uncover principles that scale to complex systems.

Science needs time and space to explore. If this matters to you, speak up. Ask what kind of science your institutions support. Advocate for policies that protect curiosity-driven research. The science that teaches us to ask better questions is worth defending.

Hoda Tromblee, Cold Spring Harbor

Close the wage gap for people with disabilities

Organizations in New York can pay a person with a disability as little as $0.05 per hour, and it is legal. This must end.

It’s time for New York to eliminate the subminimum wage and treat people with disabilities with the fairness they deserve. The New York State Senate has passed Bill S28 to do just that, and now it is time for the Assembly to act before their session ends. 

As the father of John Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, I’ve seen firsthand what people with differing abilities can accomplish when given the chance. John co-founded a business with me, John’s Crazy Socks, and we have learned that hiring people with differing abilities is not charity, it’s good business. More than half of our employees have a disability. They work hard, deliver incredible results and earn the same wage as their colleagues. 

The subminimum wage law, a relic of 1938, allows people with disabilities to be paid as little as 5 cents an hour. That’s not just outdated, it’s wrong. It tells people that their labor, and their lives, are worth less.

New York should lead the nation by ending this discriminatory practice. No exceptions. No more second-class workers. I urge the State Assembly to pass A28 and help build a more inclusive and just future for all.

Mark X. Cronin, Farmingdale

SCWA is doing good work

It was with pleasure that I read about how “Suffolk County Water Authority achieves full compliance with federal PFAS standards — six years early” [TBR News Media, June 12]. I live behind one of those “17 granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment systems for PFAS” and while I was dubious about those two big green tanks that they erected on their property, I was informed of their purpose and now we see the result. Bravo. It will be a pleasure to pay Suffolk County Water Authority bills in the future.

Bruce Gaugler

Port Jefferson Station

An Open Letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul

Residents of the hamlet of Port Jefferson Station/Terryville, and our neighbors in Setauket and Village of Port Jefferson, bore the burden for years of the egregious pollution for profit at the hands of the disgraced owner of Lawrence Aviation. The concern for public health and safety was a significant concern for decades. Thankfully, the cleanup by EPA of this Superfund site rendered the parcel suitable for redevelopment giving hope to many of us who worked tirelessly to turn lemons into lemonade. We now can realize a public benefit, securing a bright and clean energy future where there once was blight and danger. The Suffolk Landbank worked together with stakeholders to develop plans to provide open space, a solar energy farm and a potential new MTA rail yard for the Long Island Rail Road on 40 acres of the property.

In the past, 40 acres and a mule were offered to provide economic self-sufficiency to those deserving a better future. The ability to retain the potential for the electrification of the Port Jefferson Branch of the LIRR will play a significant role in ensuring residents in our area and ridership along this line can join the modern era of clean and convenient transportation. This opportunity could be the “engine that drives” the resurgence and planned growth of our region with true transit-oriented development, adding to our economic self-sufficiency. Unfortunately, the mule in this case is the stubborn intransigence of the Department of Transportation that, for reasons that defy logic, threatens this entire undertaking based on a potential highway that will never be built.

This can easily be resolved with an easement agreement to address this issue. However, the original deal with the MTA to move this vision forward must be concluded by June 30, 2025, well before any final understanding with DOT can be worked out. We strongly request your immediate intervention to ensure this project can move forwawrd and the will of the people locally not be thwarted by bureaucratic dithering. We need your help to realize the better future we deserve by squeezing DOT to pay $10 to get this deal done and help us make some lemonade!

Ira Costell, President

Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Associatio

WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL  

We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

 

Prev1...345...604Next Page 4 of 604
TBR News Media is your local news and entertainment website.
We provide you with the latest breaking news and information for your community.
Contact us: [email protected]

Most Viewed

©